Monthly Archives: June 2024

Day 4198: Feedback

Posted on June 30, 2024 by Ann Koplow

Today, I’m thinking about some feedback I want to give that isn’t completely positive.

I’ve heard that the best way to deliver that kind of feedback is with a “sandwich” — start with something authentically positive, give the not so positive feedback, and then end with more positive feedback.

I don’t know why I have so much trouble giving less than totally positive feedback — maybe I’m afraid of hurting people’s feelings. Maybe it’s because I love positive feedback while also unfortunately focusing on any hint of negative feedback, and I assume that other people are the same way.

I’m thinking about feedback I’ve given other people about this: People are not as fragile as you fear. Also, you can’t expect people to read your mind — you need to give specific feedback to get what you want.

Do you have any feedback about the words and images in today’s blog?

Those polar bears don’t seem afraid to give and receive feedback.

Here’s what I find when I search for “feedback” on YouTube:

Thanks to all who give and receive feedback, including YOU!

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism | Tags: an incredible meal at Via Cannuccia, Artificial Intelligence, “Giving Critical Feedback”, Camera Day, cats, feedback sandwich, giving effective feedback, June 30 2024, quotes about feedback, Simon Sinek, Twitter | 14 Comments

Day 4197: Looking

Posted on June 29, 2024 by Ann Koplow

Here’s looking at you, kid.

Without looking up the answer, what movie is that quote from?

My dear friend Janet (whom I met looking at films at Boston University in the 1980s and who was looking at my concert of original songs four weeks ago today) was looking at that very quotable movie yesterday, which I found out by looking at Facebook.

Besides great movies and dear friends, guess what I love looking at?

Apparently the Daily Bitch doesn’t mind looking at dust.

As I find out every day, there are so many different ways of looking at the same thing!

Here’s what I’m looking at when I search for “looking” on YouTube.

No matter what is going on in the world, I love looking at cats.

What are you looking at?

Thanks to all who are looking at this daily blog, including YOU!

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism | Tags: art, “14 Signs Your Cats Sees You as Their Parent”, cats, Empty-Nest-Replacement Cat, favorite movies, Feline Fanatics, friendship, June 29 2024, Saul Steinberg’s “Four Cats”, The Daily Bitch Calendar, Twitter | 12 Comments

Day 4196: What are you afraid of?

Posted on June 28, 2024 by Ann Koplow

During the debate last night — which I was afraid of watching — I asked this question: “What are you afraid of?”

At this point, I’m afraid of losing my sense of hope and my sense of humor.

Well, maybe not. I still think that’s funny and I still have hope for humankind. But I’m afraid how people vote in important elections and how that affects us all.

Today, when I talk to people in group and individual therapy, I’m sure we’ll be discussing what they are afraid of.

On CAPS LOCK Day, I am VERY AFRAID of a former U.S. President who rants on social media with caps lock on.

Here’s what I find on YouTube when I search for “What are you afraid of?”

What are you afraid of?

Thanks to all those I am NOT afraid of, including YOU.

Categories: life in the USA, personal growth, photojournalism | Tags: CAPS Lock Day, cats, group therapy, June 28 2024, The Biden Trump debate, The Daily Bitch Calendar, Twitter, West Indian Girl | 16 Comments

Day 4195: PTSD Awareness Day

Posted on June 27, 2024 by Ann Koplow

Today is PTSD Awareness Day.

Because I work with people who have PTSD and have PTSD myself, I always have some awareness of PTSD.

Because of PTSD, I am hyper vigilant, easily triggered, very sensitive to noise and unwelcome change, and quick to feel isolated and alone. Because I grew up with loving parents and friends, I can recover from those disruptions fairly quickly.

Can you see awareness of PTSD in my images for today?

This is from the online Tarot Card reading I did yesterday. My PTSD probably contributes to these difficult feelings.

PTSD makes it difficult to trust in happy outcomes but hope springs eternal!

Cats have always helped mitigate my symptoms of PTSD, starting after my first heart surgery when I was 10.

I’ve had many hospitalizations and surgeries because of my rare heart condition. When I was very young, I met Dr. Paul Zoll who helped develop cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators. His legacy lives on and so do I!

I have trouble sleeping because of PTSD and, like the Daily Bitch, I hold on to my cats.

Here’s what I find when I search for “PTSD Awareness Day.”

Thanks to all who help me face PTSD every day, including YOU!

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism | Tags: “PTSD Awareness Changes Lives” from Phoenix Australia, Boston, cats, Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries, Dr. Paul Zoll, June 27 2024, post traumatic stress disorder, Spanish mackerel dish, The Daily Bitch Calendar, Twitter, World Refrigeration Day | 12 Comments

Day 4194: What’s the name of this post?

Posted on June 26, 2024 by Ann Koplow

Every once in a while, because I can have trouble making decisions, I leave it up to my readers to decide what’s the name of this post.

What’s the name of this post? Is it “I Feel Fine”? “I’ll Follow the Sun”? “In My Life”? “Setting Limits”? Forgiveness”? “Decisions”? “Find the Bunny”? Something else?

If the name of this post were “I Feel Fine,” this is the video I would share:

Maybe the name of this post is “Thank You”!

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism | Tags: "I Feel Fine", cats, gratitude, indecision, June 26 2024, salmon dish, the Beatles, The Daily Bitch Calendar, the South Shore of Boston, Twitter, World Beatles Day | 9 Comments

Day 4193: Celebration of the senses

Posted on June 25, 2024 by Ann Koplow

Yesterday was Celebration of the Senses Day, but why not celebrate the senses every day?

Here is “The Senses Song” from Animaniacs.

Thanks to all who help me with my daily celebration of the senses, including YOU

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism | Tags: Animaniacs, cats, Celebration of the Senses Day, feelings chart, Greater Boston, June 25 2024, The Daily Bitch Calendar, the MBTA Ferry, The Senses Song, Twitter, working at a hospital | 13 Comments

Day 4192: Lessons learned

Posted on June 24, 2024 by Ann Koplow

Yesterday, when I was in Dedham, Massachusetts, exchanging lessons learned about musical performances, relationships, and psychotherapy with my new friend Betsy, I saw this sign about lessons learned:

… which inspired me to ask a question about lessons learned on Twitter.

I have also benefited from that lesson learned from Maya Angelou.

Do you see any lessons learned in my other images for today?

Another lesson learned (especially for us workaholics) from the Daily Bitch!

Here’s what I find on YouTube when I search for “lessons learned.”

Thanks to all who have contributed to my lessons learned, including YOU!

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism | Tags: Dedham Massachusetts, gratitude, Life Lessons from 100-Year-Olds, LifeHunters, Maya Angelou, memories, quesadillas, relationships, The Daily Bitch Calendar, Twitter, zoom call with family and friends | 10 Comments

Day 4191: Let It Go Day

Posted on June 23, 2024 by Ann Koplow

Today is Let It Go Day, so whatever it is, let’s let it go!

Here’s a description of Let It Go Day from the betterhelp.com website;

I didn’t know that today was Let It Go Day when I asked this let-it-go question last night on Twitter.

Let’s all let it go together, shall we?

Here’s what else I find when I search for “let it go” on YouTube:

Thanks to Insa Klasing and everyone else who helps me let it go every day, including YOU!

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism | Tags: "Frozen", “Let it Go” singalong, “The Power of Letting Go”, betterhelp.com, forgiveness, giving up control, Insa Klasing, June 23 2023, mindfulness, Twitter | 10 Comments

Day 4190: Identity

Posted on June 22, 2024 by Ann Koplow

After a day when I (1) had to verify my identity a kashmillion times while using computers and (2) watched a wonderful movie about identity called Hit Man, I’ve decided that identity will be the topic for today’s blog post.

In Hit Man, Gary Johnson (based on a real person) has several identities, including a college Psychology professor who has two cats (named Ego and Id) and who likes bird watching.

I identify with those aspects of Gary Johnson’s identity.

Part of my identity is asking questions on Twitter …

… and sharing what day it is with you.

The Daily Bitch has a pretty consistent identity.

Three weeks ago today, I assumed the identity of songwriter/musician/performer in front of an audience of people I love, and it was a highlight of my life. Soon I’ll be working on the new identity of somebody who releases a live album!

Here’s what I find when I search for “identity” on YouTube.

Thanks to all who support my identity as a daily blogger, including YOU!

Categories: personal growth, photojournalism | Tags: cats, Gary Johnson, Great Egret, Hit Man, June 23 2024, Kalhil Adames, quotes about identity, The Daily Bitch Calendar, the South Shore of Boston, timely songs, Twitter | 10 Comments

Day 4189: Waiting

Posted on June 21, 2024 by Ann Koplow

While I’m waiting for my photos and images to upload from my phone onto this blog, I’m also waiting to come up with a good enough opening for this post.

The waiting for that is over!

Because of my keen sense of mortality and belief that every day may be my last, I’m not a big fan of waiting. One might say that I’m waiting to become more patient and accepting of waiting.

Along with many other people I know, I’ve been waiting for the weekend and the end of the current heat wave.

I gave up waiting for the Halifax Fringe to respond to my proposal to do my “Group Therapy with Ann” show there this year, so I booked a trip with my son Aaron through the Canadian Rockies. Now I’m waiting to see Vancouver and many other beautiful sites in Canada for the first time. If I do get accepted to the Halifax Fringe, we’ll all be waiting for me to do my show there another year.

Do you see waiting in my images for today?